Darling Group is best known for opening and acquiring some of Melbourne's top cafes (Higher Ground, Top Paddock, The Terrace, Kettle Black), while recently branching out into the restaurant scene (Token and Stringers). Like many of the larger hospitality groups in Melbourne, the Darling Group continues to expand (even if the industry is struggling right now). Most recently, it opened Cheri — a new all-day eatery located right across from South Melbourne Market. Cheri has taken over neighbouring sites Bibelot and Chez Dre, transforming them into one huge 150-seat venue that's open from 8am–5pm every day of the week. Darling Group's Executive Pastry Chef Michael Germanos is making sure Cheri is home to incredible pastries, cakes and bread, made on-site every morning to be exclusively sold here and across all of Darling Group's other venues. Expect an expansive collection of sweet and savoury croissants, classic eclairs, small and large tarts and cakes, sourdough loaves, baguettes, piadinas and focaccia sandwiches. It's giving full bakery energy throughout the morning, while also serving up an all-day dining menu that covers most of your breakfast and lunch bases. Brekkie bites include polenta porridge with confit spiced dates, mandarin, creme fraiche, cinnamon and pistachios; croissant loaf french toast with maple syrup and cultured butter; eggs benedict served on a croissant wheel; and a lamb merguez fry-up with poached eggs, za'atar yogurt, preserved lemon, mint and pita bread. This is a stacked morning menu that reads like those at Melbourne's best breakfast spots. For lunch, you've got ricotta gnocchi with pancetta, broad bean leaf verde, spring peas, stracciatella and green onion oil; chicken cotoletta with sprouting broccoli leaves, asparagus and cafe de Paris sauce; and seven different pizzas made with 72-hour fermented dough. Pair this all with some signature cocktails — you can never go wrong with a cheeky bloody mary — teas, shakes, sodas, and a decadent Cheri hot chocolate made with milk chocolate, whipped cream and crema di pistachio. You can drop by this spot for a quick takeaway pastry and coffee, or choose to sit in the main dining room or 50-person courtyard — when the sun is shining. We have high expectations for Cheri, not only because Darling Group has proven it knows how to cafe, but because this food menu looks like an absolute banger. Images: Julian Lallo.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and start that independent photography career? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of some bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. From a very young age, we're all asked the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We're told to pick one path, one profession, to neatly label the rest of your life. Our responses change as we grow up, from astronaut to engineer, princess to PR, and for Sydney-based Cole Bennetts, from Penguin Boy to renowned photographer taking the Prime Minister's portrait. Now he's shot the likes of Sticky Fingers, Hermitude, Horrorshow, One Day and more, and you can find his work published in TIME, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Irish Times and Rolling Stone to name a few. Not bad for a Penguin Boy. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU PENGUINS, BECOME THEIR KING Cole's origin story reads like a Mark Twain book, a tale from a time before life happened on the screen and people went out to seek their fortunes. Initially for Cole, the end goal was never photography. His start in the industry came from a pretty unlikely place — as a way to weasel out of participating in the swimming carnival. "I'd never been the most athletic of people but I discovered that if I had a camera in my hand I didn't have to swim in the swimming carnival. I was like 'there's something to this'." A self-proclaimed science nerd, Cole's formative years were spent studying biology at university and eventually found him monitoring the behavioural patterns of seagulls and penguins in Bass Strait. The documentation process again stirred his interest in photography and, strangely, penguin care. "When that wound up [at Bass Strait] I found myself in Canberra with the zoo there. I spent about 18 months within the zoo as a penguin keeper. I managed to get the nickname 'Penguin Boy'. I can't believe I'm saying this." SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO SPEND SIX MONTHS IN THE WILD The antics of Penguin Boy became an attraction at the zoo, from lining up the penguins for feeding time to putting them to bed. Eventually, the prestigious title wore thin and Cole stumbled across an opportunity that would make most of us hurtle in the opposite direction. "I got offered a job on a really remote island… There was no water, there was nothing. We'd have to have supplies brought in by shark fishermen. It was a six-month stint living like a wild man." Just after quitting his role as Penguin Boy, Cole found out funding for the project had been cut and he was without a job. After a series of fortunate events, he founded a music business in Canberra and set about promoting. But Cole didn't have the budget for a photographer, someone you're kind of going to need for promo. So, having 'made do' in those six-months on the island, he improvised. "I bought a cheap camera set up and quit my job and told people I was a photographer. And I was awful. I was so bad. Within four weeks of doing it, I had $2.20 and half a loaf of bread to my name. "If you're going to do something, you throw yourself into it. I'm a big believer in sink or swim. And fake it till you make it. There's no better situation to learn than when you have no option; it's do or die." FAKE IT TILL YOU TAKE THE PRIME MINISTER'S PORTRAIT There's not a lot to do in Canberra outside of politics and partying, so Cole had a lot of fodder to snap. A crash course in how to work a camera when there's no natural light and your subjects are swaying was just what he needed to get a start in the world of photography. Fast forward a few years, he's made a name for himself as a portrait photographer and has jacked a gig taking the PM's portrait. "It's a fine line when you're shooting... Your subjects may be celebrities, they may be artists but you've got to stand in front of them with a camera […] and do them right," he says. "So I was down on my knees in front of Julia Gillard's desk and I was having trouble getting the right feel and I was starting to panic and I was like 'OK, Prime Minister, what I need you to do is close your eyes and I want you to go to your happy place'. That was crazy." He got the shot in the end though and, true to form, bossing the PM around becomes just one of his weird work stories to tell. CHANGE THE GAME — NOT EVERY HIP HOP ARTIST NEEDS TO RAP SQUAT Cole soon moved from Canberra to Sydney, the land of creative opportunity, to try and break into music photography. One day while working in his Camperdown studio, he left to pick up some lunch and walked smack bang into Omar Musa, his friend and collaborator, and Morgan Jones of the Thundamentals. "A couple of weeks later I bumped into Morgs in the cafe and he had this new group called Jones Jnr. I said I'll do your pictures, I'll do them for free but if you go anywhere and you become successful, then I'm your guy," he says. It was a smart gamble, as Morgan was in the process of writing Step On Sleep, Jones Jnr's successful debut album. From this handshake agreement, Cole has built a career photographing Australian musicians including Sticky Fingers, Hermitude, Horrorshow, Hilltop Hoods, One Day, Spit Syndicate, Tuka, Jackie Onassis, The Rubens, Angus Stone, Left and more, alongside international stars like The 1975. His proclivity for shooting hip hop royalty has changed the game and shifted music portraiture away from the cheesy and the cliché. "These guys are super intelligent, they've got good stories to tell," he says. "It's not doing rap squats in front of graffiti walls." And who better to tell someone else's tale than a guy with a killer story to tell? When you wake up a Penguin Boy one day, unemployed the next, Kirribilli House soon after, you stop fearing change and start to embrace a Sine Metu mindset because it might lead to the best shot of your life. "It doesn't matter if I'm shooting the biggest name in Australian music or I'm shooting someone having a dance, if I get the frame that captures that moment… I get just as excited. It's about storytelling." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website.
“Have you skied before?” This is the question I am asked — repeatedly — on the way to Thredbo: at reception when checking in at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, at a five-course champagne brunch in an inflatable igloo on the ski slopes (a combination of words I never thought I'd say), while dancing and chatting to strangers during a poolside party started by French phenomenon La Folie Douce and, of course, when collecting gear and being assigned to a ski lesson on the final day of this weekend celebrating the Thredbo Top2Bottom race. The answer is sort of, once, when I was in high school and spent a day tumbling down Friday Flats. But if you think Thredbo isn’t for you, it’s time to think again. There’s a lot more than just skiing on offer in this alpine village getaway. ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL; DON'T LEAVE THE HOTEL From outside, the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (Friday Drive, Thredbo Village Resort, +61 2 6459 4200) looks austere — with a grey timber exterior capped by an aggressively sloping roof. But inside, it’s warm and wood-panelled, the staff are chilled out and friendly and there is a roaring log fire in the middle of the lobby lounge. The setting is pretty spectacular too. From the hotel room window, I can see a snow-covered mountain that reflects the pink morning light, and a pristine landscape of sky and trees. The rooms are small and haven’t been refurbished since the ‘80s, but this adds a rustic charm and comfort. The hotel breakfast is deliciously comprehensive, and the restaurant windows look out onto the slopes. Whether you’re into the bircher muesli or hash browns (or both), you can sit in your warm smugness and watch early morning skiers tear down the Supertrail at their own peril. The hotel also has an outdoor spa, an in-house massage therapist and sauna. So you basically have no reason to leave. OPEN CHAMPAGNE THE RIGHT WAY: WITH A SWORD On the first morning, I am whisked away to Crackenback Drive and treated by Mumm Champagne to a five-course champagne degustation with chef ambassador Josh Lopez (from Brisbane’s GOMA restaurant). The pop up restaurant is set on the snow in an inflatable igloo by the ski slopes. Mumm ambassador Chris Sheehy introduces the champagne at the beginning of each course, followed by Josh Lopez, who explains his approach to each dish. I learn how to open a bottle of champagne with a saber (the essential trick is to chill the neck of the bottle for a couple of hours to get a clean break), eat black rose caviar off the back of my hand and appreciate how truffle coated in 24 carat gold goes marvellously with a cordon rouge (that’s a type of champagne). The dessert is the highlight (or perhaps my head is rather light by this point), an architectural feat with macadamia, berries, vanilla and rose petals, matched with a light rosé. An evening champagne and caviar masterclass with Sheehy and Lopez was also available to Thredbo visitors at the Segreto Restaurant back at the Alpine Lodge Hotel. PARTY LIKE IT'S -5ºC (IT IS) Thredbo Alpine Hotel is known for its afternoon après-ski parties, and from 3-6pm international party-starters La Folie Douce took to the poolside stage, pumped up the beats and got the crowd going. It’s hard to explain the magic of La Folie Douce and exactly what happens up there on stage, but they charmed us with what essentially is a glorified karaoke-cross-Rihanna-inspired dance routine, hollering and grinding to a set of pumping music, encouraging the audience to follow suit. And before long, half the audience was up on stage, a squish-friendly party of ski jackets and champagne-fuelled shenanigans. And amazingly, it was finished in time for dinner. CELEBRATE OTHER PEOPLE'S ATHLETIC VICTORIES Upon assignment to this story I had a momentary freak-out where I thought I might have to actually ski in the 25th Anniversary Top2Bottom race — a kind of City2Surf for the slopes. Each year, a slew of skiers, snowboarders and even a select few fatbike racers (literally people riding fat bicycles down the slope) compete on Australia’s longest run (3.2km) for a $1200 prize pack. Luckily, all I had to do was hang out at the finish line by the Mumm Champagne pop-up bar and cheer them on. There were dramatic crashes, narrow finishes and plenty of champagne-popping to start the day. ATTEMPT TO SKI, DECIDE TO INVEST IN A TOBOGGAN The opportunity to ski came on the last morning of the trip. I quickly realised that the preparation for this sport takes more energy than the sport itself. I wore way too many layers of clothing, struggled to get my ski boots on and then walk in them (skis in tow) to the shuttle bus. But once on the magic carpet at the bottom of Friday Flats, under the friendly guidance of Albert our ski instructor, the snowplough position came rushing back to me and I went rushing down Friday Flats. It was exhilarating! But next time I think I'll invest in a toboggan. LET'S DO THIS; GIVE ME THE DETAILS Thredbo is open 365 days a year, though the ski season runs from the June long weekend to the October long weekend. By air: Qantas and Virgin Australia service Canberra Airport from major Australian cities. Canberra Airport is a 2.5 hour drive from Thredbo and shuttle transfers to and from the airport can be arranged. Several major car hire companies also hire from Canberra. By bus: Greyhound Australia run daily services from Canberra and Sydney, Murrays run daily services from Canberra during July and August and other service operators also offer transport and packages. By car: Thredbo is approximately 500km, or 6 hours' drive, from both Sydney and Melbourne. If you’re cruising to the mountains from Sydney, once you’re on the Eastern Distributor there are only a few sets of traffic lights to Thredbo. From Melbourne, the fully sealed Kosciuszko Alpine Way is your scenic window as you wind through the spectacular Kosciuszko National Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service collect park use fees upon entry to the park. You can purchase your pass from the Entrance Station 13km before you get to Thredbo, the Snowy Region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne, the National Parks Visitors Centre in Khancoban, or the Thredbo Information Centre. Check out some tips for safe snow driving before you leave home. Roslyn travelled to Thredbo as a guest of Mumm champagne.
If you're looking to set the tone for some top-notch eating in 2025, we've found the ultimate place to start. Through January and February, social enterprise Free to Feed is dishing up a multicultural bounty of goodness as part of its latest dining series. The not-for-profit hosts food experiences aimed at helping refugees and people seeking asylum overcome social and economic barriers. And, working with talented cooks from all corners of the globe, it's delivered some pretty special dining events — and delicious cultural exchanges — during its time. Next up, the summertime feasts will take over Free to Feed's North Fitzroy events space for a program of intimate home-style dinners starting at just $55 per person. Each event will see one of the organisation's culinarily-gifted participants share the flavours and stories of their culture via a generous shared feast. Take your tastebuds on an international adventure via Nada and Aziza's Egyptian and Eritrean feast (January 25 and 25), featuring beloved recipes passed down through generations. Or perhaps Daniel and Verena's Colombian and Venezuelan spread (February 20 and 21), starring cassava bread, fresh seafood and flan. You can even drop by on Sunday, February 2 for a special Palestinian cooking workshop, or join the Story Table Series (January 6 and 7), which consists of a big dinner paired with conversations led by Bahaa, Rana and Somaya — some of Free to Feed's cooks — as they share their lived experiences of displacement and navigating new beginnings. You can even drop by the Free to Mingle evening on Thursday, February 13 to enjoy a really chill friend-making evening filled with canapes and craft workshops. [caption id="attachment_883689" align="alignnone" width="1920"] One of Free to Feed's cooking classes, by Hugh Davison[/caption] Top Images: Emily Weaving
This could either be a truly great idea or the Worst Thing Ever. The 'party game for horrible people' is now playable all day long — on your phone. Usually cushioned by the presence of other terribly dark-humoured friends, Cards Against Humanity is now playable in the silent, silent realms of your solo commutes, bedtime reading moments or sneakily between work tasks. A new site called CardsAgainstOriginality.com allows you to play the politically incorrect party game on your smartphone, tablet or desktop. CardsAgainstOriginality isn't an official app available from stores, but rather a free-to-use mobile site you can save to your home screen. The whole thing sounds iffy (like it's one creepy, terrible person playing a socially inappropriate game for one), but you're not just playing against yourself. After clicking the 'new game' button, you can send the link to your friends and play online together (drag and drop your round submission, judge clicks on the winner) — an attempt at simulating all those whisky-fuelled weekends away on the way to work. Built by developer Dawson Whitfield, the official Cards Against Humanity team have nothing to do with this. The original Cards Against Humanity game has always existed under a Creative Commons licence that allows for the game to be printed out, remixed and used for free (as long as you're not selling copies). According to the website, "It has all the cards you know and hate, plus all five expansions. It’s like having a big black box of cards in your pocket!" We're not completely sold on this probably terrible idea. The beauty of Cards Against Humanity comes from group acceptance of straight-up horribleness; the painstaking, side-splitting and often horrific reading out of every last terrible player card that's "kid tested, mother approved", what "the US has begun airdropping to the children of Afghanistan" or what grandma "would find disturbing, yet oddly charming". Pissing yourself laughing alone on a train about terrible, terrible politically incorrect humour might just make you a terrible, terrible person. But it could be great. We're torn. UPDATE 12/3: Site down. Site down. According to Mashable, the creator of CardsAgainstOriginality.com, Dawson Whitfield, said the site is running slower than a final episode ad-break. After y'all read and clicked, the site experienced staggering traffic. Whitfield is apparently updating servers to cope with the huge influx of traffic, and expects everything to be hunky dory by the weekend. Image credit: Cards Against Humanity via photopin (license). Via TIME.
There's dessert, and then there's dessert. We're happy to report that Damon Bradley specialises in the latter. Opening this week in the Southgate precinct, Melbourne's decadent new dessert bar boasts a 20-page menu, packed with enough sugary treats to put you in a mild diabetic coma. You know what we're talking about. "Damon Bradley will be a decadent destination for specialty high teas, intimate late night dates, indulgent morning teas, breakfast on the run, cheeky afternoon get togethers, dessert for dinner and all the ways you can indulge in delicious treats," says owner Eileen Galea. Standout menu items — and there are more than a few, mind you — include white chocolate and Irish cream waffles with fresh raspberries and strawberries, slow-cooked oven-roasted pears with vanilla bean ice cream, and chocolate fondant served with a salted caramel ice cream and sauce. There's also a doughnut tasting plate, desserts by the glass and fridges full of specialty chocolates, pastries and cakes. Thirsty customers will be able to pair their desserts with matching wines. Alternatively, you can have your pick of a drinks list that includes milkshakes, ice cream sodas, dessert martinis and a range of teas and coffee. Oh, and they also offer a specialised high tea menu complete with scones and raspberry lamingtons. Because of course they do. Damon Bradley is located on the middle level of the Southgate precinct, opposite Tutto Bene. For more information and operating hours, visit their website.
When it comes to fashion, staying ahead of the pack can be a mighty tough feat. But if you're keen to kick monochromic minimalism to the curb, while giving a little back to your global community, we've found just the bold West African label to help you do it. YEVU, which means 'foreigner' in the local Ewe language, is a socially responsible clothing line bringing the wild traditional wax prints of Ghana to Aussie shores. Linking local African tailors with style-conscious global customers, founder Anna Robertson is creating serious change for Ghanaian seamstresses living on the poverty line. You can read more about the company's social impact here. After launching its sell-out debut range in October 2013, the company has gone from strength to strength, hosting pop-ups around the country, selling out eye-catching pieces and garnering a cult following along the way. Now, YEVU returns to Melbourne, hosting a pop-up filled with its most popular pieces from the past five years (we actually can't get enough of these prints). From August 2–12, YEVU's top hitters will be available from the pop-up store, including the famed prawn jumpsuit, the monochromatic wide-led pants and the God Save Me twinset. Its all-new accessory line will be on offer, too, which features a slew of bright bumbags, hats and clutches. During the ten days, the store will also be filled with plenty of foliage, thanks to Leaf Supply — and, yes, every plant on display in the store will be available to buy. So both you and your house can acquire some fancy new accessories. YEVU Pop-Up will be open from Monday–Saturday 10am–6pm and Sunday 11am–5pm.
Footscray is getting a brand new watering hole from the team behind Laneway Festival, Ponyfish Island and St Jerome's – The Hotel. Dubbed Back Alley Sally's, the bar is located in a previously abandoned, multi-storey warehouse, and is the latest venture from Jerome Borazio's Get Notorious Group. Opening next week on Yewers Street just a few minutes' walk from Footscray Station, Back Alley Sally's will be a "CBD-inspired bar" (whatever that means) with "modern-day industrial elements," including exposed brick walls, high ceilings and a large, central bar area. Patrons can sit at the bar or cosy up in a booth, while indoor garden beds should help soften up the otherwise mechanical decor. 4 Yewers Street, Level 1. Doors almost open. #backalleysallys A photo posted by Back Alley Sally's (@backalleysallys) on Feb 4, 2016 at 8:45pm PST Beverage options will include wine, craft beer and cocktails, while food will be taken care of by their ground floor neighbours Slice Girls West. As the name suggests, they specialise in pizza, although they also do toasties, nachos, salads and a tasty looking cheese kransky dog. Back Alley Sally's is located upstairs at 4 Yewers Street, Footscray. They're opening hours are 4pm to 10pm Wednesday to Saturday and 2pm to 9pm Sunday. For more information visit www.backalleysallys.com.au, or check them out on Facebook.
For all of us down here in the southern hemisphere, Christmas has never really aligned with the classic ‘snowy tree, Christmas jumpers, roast dinner and egg nog’ style of celebration enjoyed by the north. Frankly, the thought of eating a hot, greasy wad of ham on a 35-degree day is kind of gross — give us a tinnie and a prawn skewer anytime. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to pretend, and the Hotham Street Ladies have just the thing. These cheeky Melbourne artists have created a sweet, sweet installation for the iconic Hotel Windsor that features a massive, traditional Christmas spread. There's a fat roast chicken, glazed ham, juicy lobster, baked whole fish (man, we sure eat a lot of meat at Christmas, Gaviscon must rake it in) and not to mention the succulent desserts and sides. This piece of art looks better than any Christmas meal you’ve ever made (hell it looks better than most things) and the kicker? It’s made entirely from icing sugar. The Christmas at The Windsor exhibit (which is on display from December 1 to January 5) took over a month to create and the gals used an incredible range of modelling and piping techniques to work in so much detail. Aren't across these bold, culinary artists? The Hotham Street Ladies are an artist collective of five women — Cassandra Chilton, Molly O’Shaughnessy, Sarah Parkes, Caroline Price and Lyndal Walker — who derive their name from the days when they lived together in a share house in Collingwood. Their mutal passion for cakes, baking, feminism and craft has since informed their work and it’s pretty damned cute (with a big streak of feminist badassery). Check out some of their other work, including a puppy cake covered in iced flowers, candy beards, a table setting designed around leftovers and this gloriously graphic iced period stain installation in the men’s toilets at the Victorian College of the Arts. Christmas at The Windsor is on display at the Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street from December 1 to the January 5.
It's a self-described road trip across Europe. A celebration of the unusual and unexpected in cuisine, technique and style. On paper, everything about executive chef Ashley Davis' Seddon restaurant Copper Pot shouldn't work. Instead, the chef — who's previously been awarded two Michelin stars while heading the kitchen at London's Hélène Darroze — proves again why he, his team and menu are worthy of award. The road trip menu ($65) at Copper Pot is, as Davis describes, his European 'best of'. But this is no slapstick compilation. Each dish is transportive and shows respect for the recipe in its native form. The medley opens with a serving of sourdough and schmaltz, a traditional spread made from the rendered fat of both pork and duck. Davis ad-libs with fresh herbs, dill and parsley, and a little pork crackling for texture — a small tweak to cater for an Australian palate. It is a surprisingly light combination, and an unusual alternative to a buttered bread roll. Positively, it catches the diner off-guard. The Copper Pot team show a real dedication and belief in their cause. If the produce is not ready to come out of the ground, then they will not use it. You should expect the menu to be malleable as a result. There is also an emphasis on local and gathered ingredients. A wing of kingfish is paired with fried saltbush, foraged from local Melbourne beaches by the chefs themselves. The effect is exquisite — you can't help but feel a sudden pop in your lizard brain, placing you on the beach, salt in your hair and surf lapping at your ankles. The techniques used to prepare the dishes — originating from France to Spain to Italy, and occasionally the more obscure — are all applied with absolute precision. It doesn't seem unusual, nor out of place, to enjoy a Catalonian-style pig's head croquette, followed by wild mushrooms and ricotta gnudi dumplings. The real litmus test though was dessert: crème brûlée. A recipe that Davis has been cooking for 17 years, and one that leaves nowhere to hide mistakes. That first satisfying crack of your spoon against the hardened caramel has to be as pleasurable as anything one could experience in this world. Copper Pot Seddon is delightfully unpretentious. The feeling throughout is cosy, and their passionate staff only help to complete the experience. A knowledgeable sommelier makes the road trip wine pairing essential ($50 extra). If you do require an after-dinner caffeine hit, you'll be pleased to know that they're serving Market Lane espresso (from $3.40), brewed exclusively using the French press method. In all, Copper Pot is memorable experience that will keep you coming back.
Our city's urban landscape has inspired some pretty nifty haunts over the years, from rooftop Airstream hotels to bars inside disused trams. But it feels like we're about to reach peak Melbourne with the arrival of Whitehart, a double-decker container bar that's hidden down a CBD laneway and sporting a very healthy dose of street art. The brainchild of husband and wife duo Stephen Johnson and Sabrina Santucci, the bar's set to breathe new life into a former carpark just off Little Bourke Street, with the pair drawing inspiration from the most memorable drinking spots they've encountered on their overseas jaunts. The bar, which opens today — Friday, March 3 — is an urban oasis with a mix of indoor and openair spaces, plus multi-storey art installations and striking wall projections courtesy of local design studio Daisylegs. Throw in a considered lineup of craft brews, boutique wines and signature cocktails, and eats from a selection of the city's food vendors, and we're in for one hell of a new CBD watering hole. Whitehart opens today at 22 Whitehart Lane, Melbourne, and will be open daily. For more info, visit whitehart.com.au.
On Friday, November 25 we were lucky enough to head along to a waterside mansion in Sydney's stunning Elizabeth Bay, to celebrate summer and drink Grey Goose cocktails among sweeping, magnificent views of the stunning harbour. Global ambassador Joe McCanta was there, mixing up classic Grey Goose cocktails like the Le Grand Fizz and the espresso martini. There was also a frozen version of the Le Grand Fizz — it was next-level refreshing in the breezy heat. At the party there was a French bakery-inspired entrance, international DJs, people rolling around in clear, blow-up balls, and many many blue umbrellas with people lounging around and enjoying the sun. Food was served, martini masterclasses were held and extraordinary, French Riviera-inspired experiences were had. And just as the world's artists have flocked to the Riviera for their dose of sun and inspiration, guests at Boulangerie Bleue — some of Australia's finest artists, designers, models, athletes, musicians and stylists — were all there to inspire, and be inspired. Take a look through our photos and experience the glamour for yourself. Dive into the luxury that your city has to offer — check out our Luxe Guide to Sydney and Melbourne. Food, spas, glamorous hotels and extraordinary experiences are waiting. Images: Steven Woodburn.
In the Southern Hemisphere, we're quick to flock overseas when we hear the word 'holiday'. However if time is scarce and hopping over the equator isn't an option, there are a number of incredible accommodation options in Australia and New Zealand that are serving up some serious competition to the north. Not only are the below accommodation options impeccably designed, but most are encompassed by immaculate landscapes and vivacious cultures. In partnership with boutique hotel curator Mr & Mrs Smith, here are ten incredible hotels worth checking out this long weekend. HUKA LODGE, NEW ZEALAND Huka Lodge is nestled in Taupo, the volcanic heartland of New Zealand. It proudly sits at the forefront of the North Island on the dreamy Waikato River. The lodge complements the natural beauty of its surroundings, with peaceful bedrooms furnished with a blue and white colour palette. Unwind in the main lodge with some New Zealand Pinot Noir beside the fire. Don't leave without visiting the mesmerising Huka Falls, where the water runs at about 220,000 litres per second. It's a place for both adventure and rejuvenation. EAGLES NEST, NEW ZEALAND This luxury getaway has rightly deserved its multiple awards. Eagles Nest is a lodge that sits above New Zealand's Bay of Islands, a cluster of about 140 subtropical islands at the northern tip of the country. Visitors are treated to inspiring views that combine secluded beaches with coastal bushland. The hotel itself is sleekly put together, rich with gentle timbers. Eagles Nest caters to all types of holidays; patrons can have a day at the on-site spa, or have a session with the resident personal trainer. Watching the Pacific peacefully roll from the infinity pool could be the closest thing to feeling like you're at the end of the earth. MATAKAURI LODGE, NEW ZEALAND Overlooking adventure capital Queenstown is Matakauri Lodge—11 rooms blessed with vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the glory of its bordering mountains. We like to think of it as the Lake Como of the Southern Hemisphere. The lodge has a fireside lounge, spa, infinity pool and multiple dining areas. Plus, it's only seven minutes from the main town, where you can sign up for horse riding or helicopter tours, or (if you're game) skydiving or bungee jumping. It helps knowing you'll return to the royal yet homely comforting setting of the lodge, where adrenaline subsides and calmness kicks in. COMO THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA The award-winning Como the Treasury is the first (and only) Australian hotel in the Singaporean chain of Como Hotels and Resorts. Occupying the old State Buildings, the hotel is one of Perth's most lavish offerings. The hotel is filled with sophisticated spaces, energised with cultural facets that pay homage to Australia's heritage. Diners at the hotel's restaurant Wildflower will find indigenous flavours, and visitors to the spa can treat themselves to Kakadu-plum facials. EMPIRE RETREAT AND SPA, AUSTRALIA Tucked away in one of Australia's most culinary rich settings is Empire Retreat and Spa. Modern meets rustic in the hotel's ten suites, which sit among manicured gardens hiding jacuzzis, a sauna and an outdoor shower for patrons to enjoy. While the hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, there is no shortage of dining options in the region. Plus, staying here is a good excuse to venture through the undisturbed bush of the Yallingup Margaret River region. If it's wine you crave, Empire has it covered with its own winery—Empire Estate. EMIRATES ONE&ONLY WOLGAN VALLEY, AUSTRALIA This Emirates One&Only resort sits among the grandeur of the sandstone Blue Mountains. There's something about the mist, endless green, and sheer volume of the region that gives it an out-of-this-world aura. This resort seizes its naturally setting, with large windows that give way to valley-filled vistas. Pools are aplenty, incorporated into many of the accommodation's 40 villas. Some are three-bedroom retreats, which makes this One&Only a top spot for group holidays. ROYAL MAIIL HOTEL & MT STURGEON, AUSTRALIA Foodies have endlessly celebrated the Royal Mail Hotel's award-winning dining room, where meals are created daily using produce harvested in the monstrous kitchen gardens. The restaurant may have an art deco feel, but the cottages part of the Mount Sturgeon Homestead stylishly go back in time, made of thick bluestone combat the weather extremes of the area. Inside are photos of local wildlife, while the generous backdrop of the Grampians sits just outside the window. THE LOUISE, AUSTRALIA If it's a vineyard retreat you're after, consider The Louise. Situated in South Australia's Barossa Valley, the hillside houses are fitted out with various tones of red and purple—very wine-appropriate. The Louise's award-winning restaurant, Appellation, serves meals with a heavy reliance on locally-sourced food. About 80 percent of the menu's ingredients are sourced within a 50-kilometre radius. The restaurant makes for the perfect setting to look over the hundred of acres of vines. SPICERS PEAK LODGE, AUSTRALIA Spicers Peak Lodge is the highest non-alpine lodge in the country, perched on Queensland's Scenic Rim. Amid 8000 acres of Scottish Highland cattle, kangaroos and wallabies bouncing around are ten suites and two lodges that present the best of modern lodge living. Guests are invited by the high-ceilinged main lodge, where you can sign up for private guided walks on the area's many trails. Sink into a lounge chair beside the deck-fringed infinity pool, or beside the fireplace with a cocktail. BELLS AT KILLCARE, AUSTRALIA Bells is a concoction of seaside modernity and comforting Hamptons-style flair. Blue, white and coral tones fill the rooms alongside revitalising bright white walls that showcase prints of flora and fauna. Rose-filled gardens circle the rooms and the restaurant. Ensure you squeeze in a bush walk through Bouddi National Park—made up of about 3700 acres of spotless beaches, waterfalls and spurts of rainforest. If you decide to take a trip this Easter long weekend, visit Mr & Mrs Smith to book your accommodation.
This January, Melbourne's Federation Square will play host to a fun new addition in Arboria — a huge, blow-up sculpture featuring a walk-through labyrinth of winding tunnels and lofty domes. On exhibition from January 6–28, the inflatable structure takes its inspiration from the forest, incorporating tree-like spaces, stylised leaf patterns and a soundscape from Ecuador's Mindo cloud forest, to create an immersive, multi-sensory experience for visitors young and old. A maze of pods and domes leads to a stunning central space, where massive columns and soaring Gothic-style windows mirror those of Chapter House at the UK's York Minster cathedral. It's the work of world-renowned group Architects of Air, who've created and exhibited a whole series of these 'luminaria' structures across the globe. Arboria will be open from 10am–8pm daily between January 6 and 28.
It's such a shame David Bowie's not around to see this. Sydney installation artist Michaela Gleave has come up with an app that translates constellations into musical scores so you can 'play' the stars above you. Wherever you are in the world, at anytime of night, A Galaxy of Suns can read your geolocation and plays the music it transcribes from the constellations within your view. But don't expect space to sound like Ziggy Stardust or Sun Ra. Instead, the app reads the galaxy as though it's a score. The transposing — which has been years in the making — was a collaboration between Gleave, composer Amanda Cole and programmer Warren Armstrong. What's more, every 'song' comes with a matching light display, choreographed according to the stars' movements, as they rise, cross the sky and set. Gleave launched the A Galaxy of Stars app at Dark Mofo's Dark Park this month, where the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra helped to bring the night sky's songs to life. She'll be doing a similar performance with the Bristol Choir at the Bristol Biennial in September this year for the work's international premiere. But you don't need a choir to do this thing. You can download the app for yourself via iTunes (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android).
Tokyo-based art collective teamLab — made up of mathematicians, architects, animators and engineers — will take over Tolarno Galleries with a mesmerising installation for this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival. If you've been lucky enough to visit teamLab's Digital Art Museum in Tokyo — or see countless Instagram Stories from your friends who have been — you'll know what to expect. This new work, titled Reversible Rotation, will be a four-screen work featuring sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence", which will make you feel as though you're standing on a floating wave of light. Unlike teamLab's museum in Tokyo, entry to this exhibition will be free. However, like the Tokyo museum, we anticipate there will be lines. You can't book, so rock up early and be prepared for a wait — the gallery will be open from 10am–5pm weekdays and 1–5pm on Saturdays. Images: Kate Shanasy
It's only been running since 2013, but the British Film Festival has achieved something most other fests can only dream of. In four short years, it has become the must-attend movie event brightening up cinema screens as the year comes to an end — and if you've been to one of the previous festivals, you'll know that it's always busy. Kicking off in Melbourne on October 26 and making its way around the country, the 2016 instalment promises another jam-packed year of Old Blighty's movie delights. From opening night's real-life love story A United Kingdom to the spirit-soaked comedy hijinks of Whisky Galore — and including a doco about a man determined to swipe Banksy's street art, the latest film from the director of the glorious Sunset Song, and a chance to see the likes of Goldfinger, Highlander and Oliver! on a big screen as well — the 2016 fest has it all. We recommend grabbing a Pimm's cup, munching on some jam-smothered scones, and adding these five must-see flicks to your viewing list. I, DANIEL BLAKE Only eight filmmakers have won Cannes Film Festival's coveted Palme d'Or more than once — and after nearly fifty years of making movies, the now-80-year-old director Ken Loach has become one of them. His latest feature, I, Daniel Blake, showcases just what the veteran does best: craft social realist dramas that get to the heart of British life. Starring English comedian Dave Johns alongside A Royal Night Out actress Hayley Squires, the film follows the titular character's attempts to obtain government support following a spate of health troubles, as well as the similar situation faced by a young single mother. Loach dissects the bureaucracy that comes with their predicament, resulting in an effort that's been called his angriest to date. It's must-see viewing. A MONSTER CALLS Things have been pretty hectic for Felicity Jones of late. She's currently running around Europe with Tom Hanks in Inferno, and will soon travel to a galaxy far, far away as the lead in forthcoming Star Wars side-story Rogue One. And, playing a mother with terminal cancer, she's also the reason that a young boy befriends a tree-shaped, Liam Neeson-voiced giant in A Monster Calls. Directed by The Orphanage and The Impossible's J.A. Bayona, the film adaptation of the beloved book promises to be that other kind of creature feature — you know, the heart-warming, spell-binding, moving and magical kind. OASIS: SUPERSONIC This one will have music doco lovers — and fans of the bad boy Britpop rockers who catapulted to fame, said they were bigger than The Beatles, and got into a top-of-the-charts tussle with Blur — rejoicing. Yep, Oasis made us wonder about champagne supernovas in the sky, asked "what's the story, morning glory?", and probably inspired you to call someone your wonderwall — however, they haven't received the comprehensive documentary treatment until now. Trust Amy filmmaker Asif Kapadia to be involved (though he's just an executive producer this time), with Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll's Mat Whitecross actually in the director's chair. You'll also spot the Gallagher brothers' names among the EP list, but that doesn't mean the doco presents a sanitised version of the band's tumultuous career. Noel and Liam have well and truly proven that they like a bit of drama, after all. TRESPASS AGAINST US In Trespass Against Us, Michael Fassbender plays a caravan-dwelling father and small-time crim who can't find his way away from his own not-so-positive paternal influence, who's played by Brendan Gleeson. Yep, the movie clearly delivers in terms of both casting and an intriguing tale — and then there's the behind-the-scenes talent. Filmmaker Adam Smith hasn't actually made a feature before, but the Skins veteran is known for his work with the Chemical Brothers — in fact, he has designed the visual elements for their gigs since their first show back in 1994, and also directed their stellar concert flick Don't Think. That's obviously why the electronic music legends are involved as well, lending their distinctive sonic stylings to the film's score. And yes, their first such effort since 2011's Hanna sounds amazing as expected. THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH Has ever a film's title described its star so perfectly? Has a performer ever been so accurately cast in a movie? We can only be talking about one feature and one musician-turned-actor, of course — and with David Bowie's passing in January, the British Film Festival is giving everyone the opportunity to see one of the big-screen highlights of his career. Playing the literally otherworldly Thomas Jerome Newton, Bowie really is a starman in this gorgeously restored version of the sci-fi classic. It's the role he was born to play, in a movie that's as astonishing today as it was when it was first released 40 years ago. The 2016 BBC First British Film Festival will be screening at Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay and The Astor from Wednesday, October 26 to Wednesday, November 16. For more information and the full program, visit britishfilmfestival.com.au.
Fans of Marcel Duchamp are in for a serious treat, with the Art Gallery of New South Wales named as the sole Australian stop for a huge exhibition celebrating the acclaimed artist's life and work. Kicking off in Tokyo on October 2, to mark the 50th anniversary of the artist's death, it's set to be the most comprehensive Duchamp exhibition to ever hit the Asia-Pacific region. The Essential Duchamp will open in Sydney in April 2019, showcasing an impressive 150 works and related documentary materials from throughout the art legend's 60-year career. It'll offer a rare glimpse at Duchamp's seriously fascinating life and a body of work that's considered one of the 20th century's most artistically influential. Some pieces, like Chocolate Grinder (No 2) from 1914 and 1910's Portrait of Dr. Dumouchel, have never before been seen in this part of the world. The exhibition's on loan from, and organised by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which boasts the definitive collection of Duchamp artwork. Director Dr Michael Brand said the Art Gallery of NSW's excited to be part of this important collaboration. "The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an encyclopedic museum of the highest order with a grand tradition of both research and innovative exhibitions," he explained. "The Gallery is delighted to introduce to Australian audiences for the first time, the full creative accomplishment of this maverick artist who changed the way we look at art." The Essential Duchamp will be on show at the Art Gallery of NSW from April 2019 to August 2019. For more info, visit the AGNSW website. Image: Gary Stevens via Wikimedia Commons.
Reluctant pirates of Australia, this one's for you. Announced today, Australia's getting a brand new internet service, Yournet, which uses geododging to grant you access to TV from around the world. No VPN/funny business needed. Yournet is a soon-to-be-launched internet provider with a philosophy that everyone should pay for the content they consume, but also that Australians often get shafted out of competitive deals and easy access to good streaming services because of a certain someone’s monopoly on the market (Foxtel. It's Foxtel. Foxtel.). According to SMH, Yournet will un-geoblock your access to the holy grails of cheap TV streaming (US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer) and other blocked foreign sites. Yournet will become available in August and you’re looking at an ADSL2+ connection for $129.95 with unlimited downloads, which is a wee bit more than your current (terrible) TPG bargain bin deal. But considering a good VPN will cost up to $10 a month and Yournet has an uncapped download limit, we’re pretty into it. Yournet is also designed specifically for people who like to procrastabinge-watch entire seasons of TV shows without slow buffering times reminding you of the mountain of responsibilities that lurk outside of the safe zone (your laptop-warmed, bed pillow fort). If you're using Yournet, you will need to find your own way to sign up for blocked overseas services and actually pay for the service. But once you're signed up, Yournet allows you to flick between platforms easily with the 'Global Mode' service — unlike many VPNs like Hola, which don't allow Australian geoblocked sites through to the rest of the world, you can just flick between BBC and ABC iView for example. With Australia's new copyright laws rolling out with gusto, this could be the solution that lets you hang up the cutlass and parrot. How this is possibly legal, we're still pretty in the dark. However, Fairfax references legal advice that this type of technology to bypass geoblocking is perfectly okay, something that consumer advocacy group CHOICE Australia thinks is not exactly correct. "It's possible that we'll see a legal challenge against Yournet, similar to the actions against Global Mode services in New Zealand," CHOICE campaigns manager Erin Turner told SMH. "CHOICE remains concerned that the recently passed Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 will allow Australian rights holders to block access to online tools that allow consumers to access geo-blocked services. This isn't an anti-piracy measure, it's an anti-consumer measure that could see some of Australia's biggest companies block access to their international competitors." Check out Yournet here, launching in Australia in August. Via SMH.
One of Melbourne's original grocers has made a major comeback, with King and Godfree reborn as a three-level Italian food mecca. The Carlton grocery shop dates way back to 1884, and has been under the Valmorbida family ownership since 1955 — Carlo Valmorbida is said to have introduced parmesan cheese, olive oil and pasta to the Carlton community. Now, the Valmorbida grandchildren are in charge, and they've revealed a fully refurbished fit-out that pays homage to the original heritage digs, but with modern twists. Designed by Melbourne architects Herbert & Mason, the fit-out combines elements of old-world Italy with a modern Melbourne espresso bar. Expect bespoke everything, from the custom-built lighting and furniture down to the handmade deli plates, by local ceramicist Ingrid Tuft. The original K&G crest has also been rebuilt by an old-fashioned terrazzo maker and inlaid at the entrance. The Roman-style delicatessen aims to be your 'one-stop shop' for everything Italian, and houses an espresso bar, deli and traditional grocer. In the espresso bar, expect house-roasted coffee by head barista Lucas Carrington (ex-All Press, London), along with Italian espresso and fair trade Guatemalan single origin. For breakfast, there are also fresh juices and smoothies, plus Italian baked goods and breakfast plates — these include the fried egg, pancetta and basil panino and scrambled eggs with cured salmon, chives and toast. During the day, there's a succinct list of pastas and cicchetti (Italian-style tapas) to choose from, as well as rotisserie meats, roasted veggies, ready-made Italian sandwiches and daily specials. The cicchetti will also be available for classic aperitivo hour from 4–7pm — think arancini, sweet and sour sardines and spinach pie, all served alongside spritzes, cocktails and Italian beers. In the deli, there are freshly baked breads, a massive assortment of local and imported cheeses, artisan salumi and DOP accredited prosciutto to look forward to. Italian smallgoods, fresh flowers and meals for takeaway round out the offering. Deciding what to buy will be the hard part, but luckily there will be plenty of tastings and demonstrations on offer, too. Images: Kate Shanasy and Josh Robenstone.
It's not uncommon for Aussie pubs to be named after famous lords and statesmen. A new bar in Prahran, on the other hand, is named after one of their pets. Opening this week on Greville Street, Rufus takes its name from Winston Churchill's beloved poodle, a faithful friend so adored by his master that it's said that no-one at the PM's table ate until the butler had served Rufus his meal. Visitors to the pooch's new namesake can expect similarly sophisticated service. Open from 4pm daily, Rufus is billed as a champagne parlour and terrace, with the intimate space ideal for groups of 2-4 people. The swish interior includes mirrors along the walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, giving the impression that you are enjoying a tipple in Sir Winston's private parlour. Drinks include dry martinis mixed at the bar's special pink martini station, and a selection of spirits which sit proudly on display in the Rufus' drawing room cabinet. Melbourne, we will be mixing martinis from our pink martini station until 1am. #rufusprahran #martinipleasejeeves A photo posted by Rufus (@rufusmelbourne) on Apr 29, 2016 at 5:30am PDT Rufus is located at 143 Greville Street, Prahran. Their operating hours are 4pm-1am, seven days a week. For more information find them on Facebook or visit www.rufusbar.com.au.
Some like it hot and sweaty, some prefer it slow and focused, and some enjoy doing it to a soundtrack of big hip hop beats. But no matter what kind of yoga you vibe with, having a decent space to do it in makes all the difference. Find your yoga happy place and get bendy in style — here's our pick of Melbourne's best yoga studios. GERTRUDE STREET YOGA Both yoga studio and holistic centre, this Gertrude Street mainstay has everything you need to get body and mind in tip-top shape. It makes its home in one of the strip's beautiful heritage buildings, with a pair of light, bright studios boasting room aplenty for those downward dogs and sun salutations. Here, you'll find a hefty team of instructors and a swag of class options for every day of the week, running from vinyasa and hatha flow to yin classes and dedicated pre-natal sessions. Up for a challenge, or that little bit of extra zen? Gertrude Street Yoga also hosts a nifty selection of workshops and courses, plus a comprehensive 200-hour teacher training program. Level 1, 202 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. [caption id="attachment_628492" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] YOGA213 There's one sure-fire way to steer your practice into fun new territory, and it happens at Melbourne's home of hip hop yoga, Yoga213. Here, you'll find a space that's upbeat and full of light, where the atmosphere is homely and a painting of Biggie Smalls presides over the entrance. It's the music that's the driver, with the usual silence and ambient noises swapped for energising beats and sessions that'll leave you grinning. Choose a chilled-out class set to reggae and folk tunes, a soothing yin session, or two styles of hip hop-infused yoga. There's even an uplifting weekly vinyasa class run by donations, with proceeds going Beyond Blue. Level 1, 97 Swan Street, Richmond. [caption id="attachment_628342" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Leeroy Te Hira[/caption] POWER LIVING YOGA Boasting two lofty, light-bathed warehouse studios in the heart of Fitzroy, Power Living is the kind of place that'll have you coming back again and again. Part of a well-established group with venues across Australia, it's got a huge tribe of passionate instructors — and with eight or nine classes running each day, there are options to suit even the busiest yogis. There's a heap of class styles to choose from, and the yoga teacher training programs have serious street cred. This one gets big points for facilities, with showers, change rooms, bike racks, towel and mat hire, and even a retail boutique, where you can stock up on activewear, body products and accessories. Level 1, 260 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. HUMMING PUPPY Bringing new meaning to the idea of tuning into your yoga class, Humming Puppy's acoustic engineer-designed yoga space actually hums at a combination of frequencies — the earth's own frequency of 7.83 hertz to help ground your body, and 40 hertz to encourage peak performance gamma brainwaves. Team that with a controlled temperature of 27 degrees, freshly-sanitised Manduka mats provided at each class, and a booking system that lets you nab your favourite spot in advance, and you've got a situation primed for working body, mind and breath. Four classes are offered, running from a mellow mix of slow flow and Yin, to an endurance-building session that'll get those muscles firing. 2/22 Cecil Place, Prahran. [caption id="attachment_628351" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brooke Holm[/caption] GOOD VIBES YOGA As the brainchild of artist Kirra Jamison, it's little surprise that Good Vibes Yoga is spilling over with creative energy — ideal, really, when you're on the mat trying to harness your own yogi powers. There's a commitment here to both a healthy body and a healthy planet; from the hypo-allergenic, sustainably-produced cork flooring and the complimentary latex-free Manduka mats, through to the all-natural hair and body products in the change rooms. Even the temperature gets an all-round thumbs up, with hydronic heating kept at a controlled 23 degrees. Traditional classes include Vinyasa for both beginners and beyond, a slow flow class for sharpening focus, and a 75-minute strengthening core and release session. 116 High Street, Northcote. NTH YOGA With its fun fit-out and upbeat energy, this Brunswick yoga studio has totally nailed that home-away-from-home feel. Slow flow is the main focus here, with each session designed to help tap that consciousness, get body and mind in perfect sync, and have you settling nice and deep into the postures. The program of traditional-leaning classes includes vinyasa, yin and conscious flow, with two sessions each week catering especially to newbies. Keep an eye out for specialised courses, workshops and retreats to help step up your yoga game. 301 Albert Street, Brunswick. KAYA HEALTH CLUBS When a yoga studio's name is both a nod to Buddhist ideology and the Japanese translation for place of rest and relaxation, you know to expect one very zen space. Yoga is just one of the disciplines on offer at Kaya Health Clubs, though nothing's done by halves — book into one of the traditional classes and find yourself completely immersed in those moves, getting bendy under the expert guidance of specialist teachers that live and breathe yoga. Modern, minimalist interiors make for a serene workout space, and a solid range of class options each week will leave you positively spoilt for choice. 325 Chapel Street, Prahran and Level 5, Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, CBD. AUSTRALIAN YOGA ACADEMY Something of an institution, the Australian Yoga Academy has been awakening minds and bodies since way back in 2000. Offering one of the country's most recognised teacher training programs, it's a favourite for anyone looking to take their practice to the next level, though a broad lineup of class options means there's plenty to suit the more relaxed yogi as well. All classes are conducted at a cosy 26 to 29 degrees to boost circulation and help prevent injuries. Slow things down with some yin, get dynamic with a variety of flow classes or expand your horizons with the studio's top-notch workshop program, exploring the likes of meditation and Chinese medicine. 1B St Edmonds Road, Prahran and 2B Elm Street, Northcote. HAPPY MELON Grounded in the belief that a healthy mind is key to a strong, happy body, Happy Melon is your go-to for an all-encompassing wellness experience. The bright, foliage-laden studio is a total stunner, with an energy that'll put you in the perfect headspace for some serious self-improvement. Yoga classes run from a comprehensive fundamentals session, through to a dynamic flow class and even a pre-natal practice. And, if you're looking to focus even more on what's inside that head, there's also an assortment of weekly meditation classes, mindfulness coaching and eight-week mindfulness courses. 1252 High Street and 2 Willis Street, Armadale. BIKRAM HOT YOGA Keen to get a little hot and heavy? A steamy session of Bikram yoga, pulling a series of poses in a 35- to 42-degree room, helps to open up those muscles like nothing else — and has a whole host of great benefits. This Johnston Street gem has been guiding students through the high-intensity practice for over a decade, today running more than 30 classes across each week. Beginners are welcomed with open arms at each session, and there's even a women's-only Sunday class for any gals who'd rather give it a go in a room full of likeminded ladies. 24-26 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Top image: Happy Melon.
Speakeasy Cinema has recently settled in to their new home at Grey Gardens Projects, and their first film at the venue will be the incredible documentary that focuses on Marina Abramovic’s legendary performance, The Artist Is Present. In 2010 at MoMA in New York, the so-called grandmother of performance art spent seven hours a day for three months staring into the eyes of whoever sat opposite her. Throughout her career, the Yugoslavian artist has pushed her physical and mental capacity to the limits with her experimental and confronting work. This documentary offers great insight into Abramovic’s artistic process, and the toll it takes. Speakeasy Cinema screened The Artist Is Present back in 2013, and is back due to popular demand but also to celebrate Abramovic’s current residency and retrospective exhibition in Australia. Sadly she won’t be dropping into Melbourne this time around, so if you want your Abramovic fix without buying a plane ticket, this will be the best way to get it.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be a professional bartender or barista to whip up a good espresso martini. You just need to have a good technique, great ingredients and something that sets your drink apart. At Grey Goose's Boulangerie Bleue waterside mansion party this summer, a salted espresso martini was served — a classic post-dinner combination of vodka and coffee liqueur with a little chocolate and a pinch of salt as a finishing touch. We asked Grey Goose's lively global ambassador Joe McCanta to show us how to make this variation on the classic — check out his technique below. ESPRESSO MARTINI 50ml Grey Goose Vodka 30ml (one shot) single origin espresso 20ml coffee liqueur 1 pinch of salt Garnish: salted dark cocoa powder Chill your coupe by adding ice. Mix your vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur in a shaker. Add a pinch of salt and some ice. Shake, and then strain your mixture into your coupe. Top with cocoa powder and salt. Fancy trying another? Grey Goose Vodka's 'discover' function will tell you what cocktail you're perfectly suited for. Dive into the luxury that your city has to offer — check out our Luxe Guide to Sydney and Melbourne. Food, spas, glamorous hotels and extraordinary experiences are waiting. Image: Steven Woodburn.
Fans of smoked meats, solid harmonica solos and all things Americana will love this; Melbourne's very own specialised twang-fuelled Americana-inspired shindig is back. Dubbed 'a celebration of Americana music, great food and fine booze' at Seaworks, Williamstown, Out On the Weekend saw its first waterside instalment last year. Developed from Love Police founder Brian 'BT' Taranto's fond country music memories and unfaltering love for Neil Young, the all-day, family-friendly October event hinges around a penchant for the dark desert highways of the US. A hearty combination of music, food and top notch booze, Out On the Weekend fronts up a solid lineup of country, folk and roots, all undeniably tainted by a love for 'Muuurica. LA group DAWES return to Australia off the back of their recently released fourth album All Your Favourite Bands. Australian rock 'n' roll royalty supergroup Tex Don & Charlie — Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea), Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and legendary Australian guitarist Charlie Owen — will be there alongside South Dakota-born, LA-based newcomer Sam Outlaw, Nashville singer Robert Ellis, Texas buddy duo Jamestown Revival, the inimitable Jonny Fritz (formerly known as Jonny Corndawg), Australian Americana alt country artist Ruby Boots, Melbourne roots quartet Mustered Courage and so many more. But we promised food. With Melbourne's love for American cuisine in no danger of faltering any time soon, OOTW's nom lineup is quite the star-spangled menu. Sydney's leading renegade chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz of Porteño/Bodega fame will be setting up a pop-up version of their acclaimed establishment, serving up all the smoked meats and potato salads you can fit in y'gob. Melbourne’s 'Mesoamerican' bar and restaurant Mesa Verde will also be there, alongside Sydney cult burger crew Mary's and street food legends Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck and All Day Donuts driving on in to satisfy every last taste bud. Out on the Weekend will take place Saturday, October 17 at Seaworks, Williamstown from 11:30am — 10:30pm. Free entry for kids under 12 years old. Head to the website for ticket packages.
Generally speaking, New Year's Eve can go one of two ways. Get it right, and it's a chance to let loose with your friends and celebrate the promise of the next 365 days. Get it wrong, and it's an unending hellscape of munted revellers, terrible music and being cooked to death on crowded public transport. But while it doesn't always seem like it, there are other options — ones that don't involve crushing crowds or spending an arm and a leg on some 'exclusive' party that'll only end up disappointing. If you're not one for blowouts and can't be stuffed watching the fireworks, here are five alternative suggestions for NYE 2018. HOST A DINNER PARTY At the end of the day, the best thing about New Year's Eve is getting together with your friends and loved ones. Well, it turns out you can have all that without the stress of leaving the house. Invite a few of your closest friends around and then get busy cooking. Once the night is underway you can keep yourselves amused with everything from bake-offs to board games to catching up with old episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. If nothing else, getting your friends to supply the booze will mean you save yourself a bundle to spend in 2019. HOST A SLUMBER PARTY Doubling down on our previous suggestion, a sleepover saves you the awkwardness of kicking your mates out at 1.30am once the party has wound down — and it means you don't have to worry about dressing up, since you'll presumably all be hanging out in your pyjamas/'at home' clothes anyway. Spend the evening and early hours of the morning playing Cards Against Humanity and gorging yourself on snacks before collapsing onto a giant pile of pillows in the living room. As an added bonus, this idea means you get to wake up in a room full of your favourite people… and then you can guilt them into helping you with the cleanup. GO CAMPING While everyone else is figuring out the best way into the city, we reckon that there's a very strong case to be made for heading in the opposite direction. If it's serenity you're after, grab a tent, a sleeping bag, an esky and a couple of friends, and make your way deep into the bush. There mightn't be fireworks, but as you're ringing in the New Year gazing up at the stars, you won't feel too hard done by. Just make sure you're aware of any fire restrictions that might be in place, and be careful on the roads. Check out some of our favourite spots outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. MOVIE MARATHON There were a ton of great movies to hit cinemas this year (we wrote about some of our favourites over here). As we gear up for another Oscar season, there's no better time to fire up your Netflix account and catch up with the flicks you might have missed. If you do want to get out of the house, select Palace Cinemas around the country are hosting advance NYE screenings of the crowd-pleasing Green Book, with a celebratory glass of Prosecco included in the ticket price. Alternatively, Melburnians can pay a visit to the historic Astor Theatre and rock into January with Prince's Purple Rain. FIND SOMEWHERE TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME IN 2018 Look, let's be honest — 2018 was not a great year. So why not spend its final moments figuring how to make 2019 a better one? Volunteering is a great item to include on your list of New Year's resolutions, and there are no shortage of worthwhile organisations looking for extra bodies. Medicine sans Frontiers, Oxfam, Second Bite and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre sit at the top of our list, but a quick Google search will reveal hundreds of others. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up on January 1 feeling good instead of just really, really hungover?
If you've ever stared longingly at a DIY food video in anticipation of the inevitable gooey cheese pull, South Wharf spot The Boatbuilders Yard has a rather specifically themed event for you. Raclette Thursdays are a weekly night dedicated to cheesy, cheesy indulgence, set to warm you from the inside out during Melbourne's characteristically chilly winter. The recently launched event is delightfully focused solely on raclette — a Swiss cheese that is slowly heated until the top layer is deliciously gooey. This golden goop is then drizzled onto a selection of other, less godly food — what kind of food isn't made more impressive with the addition of cheese? Have your cheese tantalisingly draped over jacket potatoes and pickled vegetables, with the option of adding delicately sliced wagyu pastrami. It's $12 for a traditional serving, $17 with charcuterie. For the ultimate pseudo European winter vibe, pair your raclette with a glass of Boatbuilders' house-made mulled wine and snag a spot in front of the roaring fire. Raclette Thursdays run from 4pm every Thursday until the end of August.
The Melbourne Festival is back in all its singing, dancing and performative glory for another year. They've just official announced the 2016 program and all we can say is: start saving your simoleans now because you're going to want to see it all. As always, Melb Fest is delivering a lineup slammed with gigs, theatrical pieces, interactive installations, dances and so much more that defies classification. Over October 6-23 you can catch Singapore-born pianist Melvyn Tan's orchestral retelling of La Belle et la Bête (known to all of us as Beauty and the Beast), or a showing of the internationally acclaimed animated film The Triplets of Belleville. Paul Kelly is teaming up Camille O'Sullivan and Feargal Murray in their show Ancient Rain, a musical show based around the rhythmic poetry of W.B. Yeats. Or — and this is the one you won't want to miss — there's also a huge Melbourne Symphony Orchestra-backed David Bowie tribute show named David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed (*cries just a little bit*). The theatrical shows are going to be tough to choose between — there's so many phenomenal ones on offer. Director Enrique Vagras' The Echo of the Shadow is an interactive, solitary journey though the senses as you (literally) enter a labyrinth inspired by the mega-depressing Hans Christian Andersen tale of the traveler who lost their shadow. Ex Machina by writer/director/everything man Robert Lepage is showing for the first time in Melbourne at the Arts Centre's Playhouse, and we're intrigued by this offering from Scotland — Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, a play about six Catholic school girls and their trip to sinful Edinburgh for a choral competition (it's received consistently fantastic reviews). There's far too many to name individually but here's a wrap: a fluid stage production informed by the talents ofTourette's syndrome, a chilling, ambiguous play about the cultural significance of funerals, an interactive play, with money on the line, exploring altruism and greed, the story of two Chinese country boys moving to the big smoke…we could go but you might just have to read the full program. For those who're tightening the purse strings, Melb Fest have also scheduled some fantastic free shows. As well as the art trams you can catch trundling through the city, you can catch Tanderrum, an Indigenous dance ceremony that's part of the commencement address in Federation Square (October 5, 6.30pm) and Les Tambours De Feu, a display that's best described as 'drumming and fiery explosions' by Basque company Deabru Beltzak (October 6-8, also in Federation Square). Chiharu Shiota's The Home Within, a complex installation of red webbing, is also free to explore as it moves across various locations in the city. Or you can have your hair cut by an unsupervised child at Haircuts by Children (a risky comment on empowering youth) if you dare. Either way, it's going to be a big month. [caption id="attachment_582909" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Home Within, Chiharu Shiota, by Yurrtas Tumer[/caption] Melbourne Festival 2016 will run from October 6-23. For the full program, visit festival.melbourne. Image: Les Tambours de Feu, by Raphael Helle.
The doors to QT Melbourne have been thrown open. You've seen it by now – it's an artisan playground. There's an interior filled with quirky spaces, lots of colourful lighting, mountains of creative furniture and loads of confronting wallpaper. As always, the most exciting thing about anything is the food. All the restaurants are now open for business, and here's what you can, and should, be eating. Pascale Bar and Grill (on the first floor) is designed to pay homage to the 'Paris-end' of Collins St. That means it's industrial chic, with a French-inspired all day bistro menu courtesy of QT Melbourne's creative food director Rob Marchetti and chef Paul Easson. Easson used to work at Rockpool, so you know the food will be good, and you'll be able to see him utilising his very own wood-fire oven courtesy of Pascale's open kitchen. Cocktails at Pascale's are inspired by the French Quarter of New Orleans – our favourite option for a cheeky drink is the Spiced Pear, made with pear-infused cognac. Pastries in The Cake Shop on the ground floor are made fresh, and served alongside 5 Senses Coffee, Tippity Teas, Mork Hot Chocolate and bottled cocktails. They're colourful and pretty as you would expect, especially because QT say that The Cake shop is made for a modern day Marie Antoinette. Finally, the cosy Hot Sauce laneway bar seats 60 people and serves Korean and Japanese inspired dishes and drinks (try the fried chicken bao). Background music will be hip hop, and you can expect rare Japanese liquors and artistic, Asian-inspired cocktails. Neighbouring Hot Sauce is Tanto, a Japanese knife store that sells expertly crafted knives made by 10th generation sword makers, and will skilfully sharpen your knives should you choose to bring them with you. Visit QT Melbourne at 133 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000. Words: Kat Hayes and Kelly Pigram. Images: Alexandra Anderson.
There's a moment when you're eating an Alaskan king crab roll flying fish roe in soy paper in a CBD basement that you become smugly aware that Melbourne's restaurant scene had a strong start to 2017. It's not every year that begins with a three-storey palace of Japanese food, one floor of which has a wall of wine and a 12-person omakase table. Or a cafe that serves churros and croquettes for a tapas-only breakfast. Or a Albert Camus-inspired Algerian restaurant with some of the best goat you've ever had. With so many openings hitting the city in a six-month period, we whittled it down to our favourite newcomers raising the bar for Melbourne's hospitality scene. Well, our favourites so far — and there's still another six months to go.
If you missed having your heart broken and lovingly repaired again and again this past winter by Sufjan Stevens, you're in luck. The Michigan-born songwriter is returning to Australia, announcing a huge national tour playing tunes from from his 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell as well as selections across his dreamy, dreamy back catalogue. Bringing a full band and an immersive lighting production, Stevens will be celebrating ten years since Illinois and five from his Age of Adz, so expect quite a few throwbacks between the album that made us cry every last salty, salty tear in our bodies this year, Carrie & Lowell. Tickets are on sale now. If you're not on it, you're probably an emotionless stone. SUFJAN STEVENS 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR Monday 22 February — State Theatre, Sydney. Tickets available via www.ticketmaster.com.au. Friday 26 February — Hamer Hall – Melbourne, Tickets available via www.artscentremelbourne.com.au. Wednesday 2 March — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth. Tickets available via www.oztix.com.au. Friday 4 March — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane. Tickets available via www.qpac.com.au.
A fried chicken feast, a cocktail lab and a garden party catered by some of the hottest chefs in town are among the highlights of this year's spectacular Good Food Month program. Taking over Melbourne for the whole month of November, this annual culinary cavalcade will once again see the city transformed into the foodie equivalent of Valhalla, with parties, sit-down dinners and everything in-between to satisfying your most extravagant cravings. This year they're packing as much as they can into every one of the 30 days in November. And while some of the big ticket events have already sold out, there's still a heap you can sneak in to. Clear your calendar and start fasting now.
Fair is foul and foul is fair, and both words can be applied to the harrowing new film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Foul in that Australian director Justin Kurzel evokes the pervasive bleakness and epic tragedy of the source material in a manner that few other screen adaptations have ever managed. And fair in that the film's hypnotic aesthetic, along with the incredible work of its cast, ensures that it will be remembered as one of the most awe-inspiring movies of the year. Fans of local cinema may remember Kurzel's name from his debut feature, Snowtown, which hit cinemas back in 2011. Based on a notorious South Australian murder case, the film's immaculate craftsmanship is matched only by its repellent content — it's the kind of movie critics appreciate and admire but find almost impossible to recommend. Either way, it could hardly have been a better audition piece for a director looking to tackle what is arguably one of Shakespeare's grimmest plays. Plenty of talented filmmakers — including Orson Welles, Roman Polanski and Akira Kurosawa — have made adaptations of the Scottish play, but rarely has the dialogue sounded darker or more enthralling. It helps that Kurzel has recruited two of the greatest actors alive in his quest to bring literature's ultimate power couple to life. Michael Fassbender is magnetic as the eponymous Scottish thane, a good man brought low by his own overleaping ambition. His whispered delivery in the film's early scenes brings the audience in on his character's moral misgivings. Yet it is his work in the second half, as Macbeth descends rapidly into cruel, paranoid madness, that will stick with viewers for days. Marion Cotillard, meanwhile, is steely-eyed and silver-tongued as Macbeth's conniving lady wife — and like Fassbender, she saves her best work for the back end. Kurzel shoots Lady Macbeth's famous "Out, damned spot!" scene in a single unbroken close-up, and it proves to be a very smart choice. Think Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables. Minus the singing. But while Macbeth contains no shortage of great acting moments in which the cast get to bear their soul for the camera, there is nothing remotely stagey about Kurzel's adaptation. From the opening frame to the close, his stylistic fingerprints are all over this film, and the results are absolutely magnificent. The selective employment of slow motion and evocative use of colour — along with the imposing images of the Scottish landscape captured by cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, and the haunting score of droning strings by Kurzel's brother Jed — make this unquestionably one of the most cinematic Shakespeare adaptations ever put to screen. It's as compelling in its moments without dialogue as it is when the characters are speaking. So heavy is the atmosphere that the film feels almost like a nightmare; one in which you're slowly being smothered and from which you cannot seem to wake. Now you may not think all this sounds like a particularly pleasant viewing experience, and to be honest you'd be right. Kurzel, to his credit as an artist, never attempts to make the film more palatable for a mainstream audience. Despite the period setting, the grizzly violence and the power plays, this is not Game of Thrones. It's a hard watch. A gruelling watch. But it's also an intensely rewarding one. All hail Macbeth.
If you've been looking for an excuse to visit Maha North, Shane Delia's elegant meze and cocktail bar, this could be it. Maha North is teaming up with Yarra Valley's born and bred Mac Forbes, who is known for his experimental cool climate wines which champion the region's unique terroir. On Tuesday, October 3, Shane and the team will throw a specially-designed, three-course culinary journey, paired with a curated selection of Mac Forbes' wines. Mac Forbes will also be on hand to share his unique knowledge on the world of Victorian winemaking. The menu for this once-off evening will run to the likes of a prawn tartare, paired with local kataifi and wakame salmon caviar. Salted cod is dressed with a dill falafel, while oysters are married with basterma and capsicum jam. Also on the lineup: a cheese and truffle medfouna, and stuffat tal-fenek bhal tal familija Delia — braised rabbit served with an array of sides. Where Delia's long-running CBD fine diner Maha is pushing the creative envelope, Maha North is the more classic-leaning, smart-yet-casual counterpart. It has similar vibrant flavours, but with a menu that beckons you to sit down and settle in for some good old-fashioned feasting. Images: supplied.
The year was 2009, and a bunch of rowdy housemates in Melbourne decided to throw a house party to raise funds to pay for a gas bill. Six years later, the brains behind I Oh You are still going strong; throwing wild parties across Australia, touring some immense international talent around the globe, as well as representing some of Australia’s finest musicians on their indie label, I Oh You Records. Clearly there's plenty to celebrate, so the housemates are getting back together this Easter weekend to put on an incredible night of music. Performances by Collarbones, The Harpoons and Milwaukee Banks will be going down this Easter Sunday at Ding Dong Lounge, and DJ sets from the likes of Gold Fields, Marquee Moon, Can’t Say and I Oh You resident DJs are sure to tear the roof off. Limited presale tickets are available, however there will be door sales for $15 from 9pm, so if you want to go, get there early. Let's help them keep the gas on for another six years.
Not every ballet features dancers forming constellations, gramophone-shaped mirrors creating kaleidoscopic visuals, refractive and reflective surfaces making it appear as though performers are overlapping, and choreography created for every leaf in a 134-page text — but, not every ballet is Tree of Codes. Music, dance, art and literature fans, hold on to your hats: Tree of Codes is a collaboration between Jamie xx, Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor, Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and novelist Jonathan Safran Foer. First previewing in Manchester in 2016, it's named after and based on the latter's book-based artwork of the same name. Also described as a "sculptural object", the printed work took Bruno Schulz's Street of Crocodiles, cut out the majority of words and fashioned what remained into a new post-apocalyptic story. We originally wrote about the show when it showed in London, but now it's making its way to our shores for a few shows as part of Melbourne Festival 2017.
After one heck of a year in 2015 with Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and the motherflippin' Village People, Melbourne Zoo Twilights are bringing the after-hours concerts back for another summer. Announced this morning, this summer's lineup is another slam dunk for the zoo, with beloved local and international artists every weekend from January 29 to March 12. Set amongst the bilbies and kangaroos of Melbourne Zoo, Twilights will see the likes of international dreamboat José González, supported by Tiny Ruins, alongside a solid crew Australian favourites like Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four's Johnny Cash tribute Far from Folsom, the ever legendary Jebediah, C.W. Stoneking with Marlon Williams, Birds of Tokyo with Fractures, Josh Pyke with Winterbourne, San Cisco with Last Dinosaurs, John Butler Trio with Tinpan Orange, The Waifs and 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth' pop diva Belinda Carlisle with '80s new wave heroes Pseudo Echo. Tickets are $65, and that price not only includes the concert but full admission to the zoo itself. All profits also go towards the fight to save the near-extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from those poor little animals. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2016 LINEUP: January 29 — Far From Folsom Featuring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four with Rachael Tidd, supported by Vic Simms January 30 — The Waifs, supported by Ruby Boots February 5 — José González, supported by Tiny Ruins February 6 — John Butler Trio, supported by Tinpan Orange February 12 — Josh Pyke, supported by Winterbourne February 13 — Birds Of Tokyo, supported by Fractures February 19 — Jebediah, supported by Glenn Richards February 20 — Mark Seymour & The Undertow, supported by Ben Salter February 26 — San Cisco, supported by Last Dinosaurs February 27 — Kasey Chambers, supported by Karise Eden March 4 — Colin Hay March 5 — C.W. Stoneking, supported by Marlon Williams March 11 — Björn Again March 12 — Belinda Carlisle, supported by Pseudo Echo Melbourne Zoo Twilights runs January 29 to March 12, 2016. Tickets on sale 8am Thursday, October 22 from Melbourne Zoo, and zoo members receive a 10 percent discount. By Shannon Connellan and Meg Watson. Image: Ian Laidlaw.
You may not know it, but ramen, the quintessentially Japanese dish, may have actually originated in China. Traditional Chinese noodle dishes are very similar in style to ramen, and Lamian, a Chinese noodle similar to the type you find in ramen, may be the linguistic origin of the word ramen. But this is all conjecture. Now you can try for yourself and see. Shanghai Street Noodle Wizard has recently opened on Russell Street in the city and it’s serving up Suzhao noodle soups from China’s Jiangsu Province. Apart from having the all-time best name for a venue, Noodle Wizard also wins our hearts by being a part of the Shanghai Street Dumpling family. As such, they'll not only be serving up soup, but sets of your favourite dumplings and dumpling-adjacent cuisine (hellooooo spring onion pancakes). The menu and ordering system looks slightly confusing, as there are some options for how the noodles are served, so it's best to apply the KISS approach – keep it simple, sexy. For comparative data, traditional Japanese ramen joint Menya Sandaime is just up the road and open 24/7. You kind of owe it to science to compare the pair. Shanghai Street Noodle Wizard is located at 167 Russell Street, Melbourne. Open Monday - Thursday 12:00pm -3pm, 4:30pm-9:00pm; Fri 12:00pm -3:00pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 4:30pm-8pm. Via Goodfood. Image via Faye.
Brisbane's a constantly changing city, with new rooftop bars, music festivals and outdoor food markets springing up every season. Famous for its bright, warm summery weather, blooming jacaranda trees and endless sports activities, Australia's river city truly thrives in the warmer seasons. Brisbane's weather is downright balmy, with no outdoor escapade off-limits. There's rooftop bars, openair swimming pools and outdoor cinemas aplenty and the crisp, blue days mean a uniform of sunnies, thongs and a t-shirt are commonplace, as are icy beers, night markets and seafood feasts. To help you get the most out of your Brissy getaway, here's a guide to experiencing Brisbane like the locals do — and every single entry has been tried, tested and very much approved. To experience these for yourself, head to the Visit Brisbane website and get planning. BREAKFAST AT DAVIES PARK MARKETS Start your weekend strong with a wander around the Davies Park markets in West End. While you’re there, grab a langos or two (a traditional Hungarian dish made of deep fried bread dough topped with cheese, garlic and sour cream), a cinnamon-spiced coffee and make your way to the adjacent park to watch the band and do some quality dog spotting. If you can still walk after all that indulgence, wander down the river to Orleigh Park, catch the CityCat to a sunny spot and just take in the morning. GET BACK TO NATURE AT CEDAR CREEK You don’t have to go too far out of Brisbane to be transported to completely new worlds. Cedar Creek Falls is a 45 minute drive north-west of the city and is a favourite day trip location for anyone who doesn’t have a swimming pool. After you’ve had a paddle, head to one of the hiking trails and get lost (though not literally) in the quietness of nature. To get to the creek, turn left onto Cedar Creek Road which is about 5.7km north of Samford if you’re driving along Mt Samson Road. CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF MODERN ART It goes without saying, GOMA's got a solid local and international rep. Every reviewer and local and stranger on the street is constantly banging on about how amazing the gallery is, how balanced the architecture, how resplendent the views. Well we’re sorry to be repetitive but it’s all true and you really must join the cult of people who strongly believe GOMA should be on everyone’s bucket list. And while you’re there, head to the State Library next door and take a quiet time-out in one of the window boxes overlooking the river, grab a CityCycle and take off along the river or head around the corner to the newest entertainment precinct on Montague Road and grab a bite at The Milk Factory. GRAB AN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN DINNER AT PEPE'S Whether you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine or not, it’s hard not to love Pepe’s Mexican in Newmarket. Their menu is huge, varied and always fresh; and no matter what night of the week you go, always expect a crowd. The décor is thematic and homely but not tacky (no fake moustaches or sombreros here). You can’t really go past the chicken chipotle empanadas, unless it’s to run with open arms into a steamy chimichanga. And if you really want to indulge (and we know you do), order the chocolate fudge nachos from the desert menu and whisper “Hashtag YOLO” as they’re placed in front of you. BREAKFAST AT A WEST END ICON The Gunshop Cafe is a long-running West End standard who do a mean breakfast (the weekend lines around the block are a testament to this fact). We recommend the potato and feta hash cake with herbed sour cream, baby spinach and truss cherry tomatoes; or for those with a sweet tooth, try the brioche French toast with roasted rhubarbs, pistachio mascarpone, fresh berries and toasted flake almonds (do we even have to explain why? Pistachio mascarpone, that’s why). After you’ve filled up on tasty treats, take a wander around West End, a suburb that shines on the weekend. Stop in at SWOP second hand clothing shop next door to Gunshop Cafe and famed bookshop Avid Reader on Boundary Street. TRY BRISBANE'S BEST SUSHI Words can’t describe the bounty of delight that is Sushi Kotobuki. Words like “tastiest”, “cheapest”, “moreish” and “cream cheese” all float in the aether when you take that first bite of aburi salmon. Until recently, Kotobuki only had one location on Lytton Road in East Brisbane, where lines ran out the door and tables were scarce. Luckily, they’ve recently opened a shiny new venue in the CBD. We urge you to embark on a journey via plane, train, bus or dog sled to get there and order as much fresh sushi as your stomach can handle. Our particular favourites include the cream cheese chicken fusion roll, the tofu agesdashi and their speciality ‘Crunch Chicken’. ABSEIL OFF KANGAROO CLIFFS We know this seems bananas. Why would anyone ruin a relaxing weekend getaway by plunging feet first and backwards off a sheer cliff? But hear us out. Think of the breathtaking view out over the Brisbane river, the rush of adrenalin as you turn your back to it and the feeling of invincibility when you finally get to the bottom. Not to mention that the experience is totally safe, fully harnessed and kids as young as eight can do it. Every day the cliffs are littered with adrenalin junkies chasing adventure, so you know it’s legit. EAT STREET MARKETS The Eat Street Markets are a local commodity that wouldn’t work in any other city in Australia. But they thrive in Brisbane, where the nights are balmy and the food is steaming. The market boasts dishes from around the world: Brazilian steaks alongside Greek honey puffs and Korean BBQ; Japanese Takoyaki alongside Coffin Bay oysters and Filipino street food. It’s multiculturalism at its best. After the smorgasbord has died down, take a wander through the market and check out the ware on sale from local craftsmen, fashion designers and fudge artisans (yeah for real – check out their cute, Instagram-worthy watermelon fudge). LIMES ROOFTOP CINEMA There’s nothing more invigorating than drinking a cocktail at a rooftop bar. Why? We don’t know. Maybe it’s the rush of looking out over the city and yelling “I’m the king of the world!” or pretending that the beautifully decorated Limes bar is actually the deck of your penthouse apartment. But whatever it is, the elation pairs well with a trashy movie, cocktail and reclining in a plush chair. Catch an array of questionable titles, like Adam Sandler’s 50 First Dates, which should only be viewed while buzzed and in good company. GO BAR HOPPING THROUGH THE CBD AND FORTITUDE VALLEY A fantastic quirk of the Brisbane nightlife scene is that most of the good bars and clubs are located in the CBD or Fortitude Valley, the most happening and hedonistic quarter of Brisbane. For an appropriately paced night, start with a few classy cocktails at Super Whatnot bar in Burnett Lane in the CBD. Pick at their light and vaguely Spanish bar menu until you’re feeling jolly, then take a quick Uber or bus up the road to the Brunswick Street Mall and prepare to get silly. Start off slowly at Kerbside on Constance Street and eventually make your way over to Cloudland on Ann Street for dancing or Laruche to vibe off the resident soul and funk DJs. And just so you know, there is a New York Slice on Brunswick Street for your post-club, pre-cab midnight snack (no judgement). Top Image: Cloudland
If you can hear 'Greensleeves' on the wind, you'd better chase the ice cream truck down to Queensbridge Square. King of dessert-for-dinner degustations Pierre Roelofs will be giving out free ice creams today. Parking the truck at Queensbridge Square on Tuesday, September 29 from midday t0 1pm (yep, it's a tiny window of sweet, sweet glory, so get there early), Roelofs will be handing over the goods to the first 200 people to show up. It's all to celebrate the announcement of this year's Good Food Month program today — and you can pick up a copy while you're there, or have a sneaky peek at our breakdown over here. If you can't get down to the square today, never fear. Roelofs will be serving up the goods at Sweetfest at GFM, a dessert-only festival featuring Katherine Sabbath, Philippa Sibley and more at North Melbourne’s Meat Market on November 28-29. If you can't wait that long, Roelof's insane dessert evenings have just returned to Melbourne, this week. Roelofs will be giving out free ice creams from midday to 1pm on Tuesday, September 29 at Queensbridge Square. For more information about Good Food Month's 2015 program, head over here.
One of Australia's biggest beats-loving festivals has been canned. Mushroom Group have announced the discontinuation of Future Music Festival today, after reporting low ticket sales for the last two years. Despite attracted huge crowds to this year's March festival nationwide, Future apparently underperformed with ticket sales. This means Future isn't returning for 2016, with Mushroom looking to steer away from large-scale travelling festivals and put more focus on its touring adventures with Frontier Touring, A Day On the Green, Melbourne's Sugar Mountain and under-18s event Good Life. "The decision to discontinue Future Music Festival was not made lightly," says Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski. "A point came though where it simply no longer made sense to continue. We believe in the festival industry in Australia and plan to announce an exciting new festival concept in the coming months." Mushroom Group are developing a new festival concept, planned for the same time period previously held by Future and set to be announced later this year. Image: Future Music Festival.
They're the round, iced, oozing snacks we can't get enough of — and they're possibly Brisbane's biggest export over the last year. Now, they're setting up shop in Degraves Street, making one of Melbourne's best foodie laneways even better. Yes, we're talking about Doughnut Time. Yes, they're continuing to plot their east coast domination. They've already popped up at Topshop in Melbourne's CBD and Highpoint Shopping Centre; however their latest site really does sound like a match made in heaven. Not sure why you should be excited? Well, let us enlighten you. If the pop culture-themed deliciousness such as the Home Alone (with milk chocolate glaze, wafers, a Kit Kat and dark chocolate glaze drizzle) doesn't sound like your kind of thing, then the humble ol' PB&J probably will. And then there's the vegan offering, because these sweet treats really should be enjoyed by all, regardless of dietary choices. We're pretty sure everyone's already well and truly onboard the Doughnut Time train though, given that their new delivery service sold out instantly when it was first unveiled. The Degraves haunt will make 14 stores, including on the Gold Coast and in Sydney, for the chain that only started serving their doughy morsels of dessert heaven twelve months ago. It really has been quite the year for Damien Griffiths' venture, with spots in Fitzroy and Hawthorn also reportedly in the pipeline for Victorians keen on all the beastly doughnuts they could ever hope for. Doughnut Time will open at 5 Degraves Street, Melbourne on Tuesday, February 24. They'll be giving away free doughnuts from 4-6pm. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page. Updated: Tuesday, February 23
In the most mathematical news since boffins discovered a pattern in prime numbers, the cast and crew behind of Adventure Time, the show that straddles generational gaps like it ain't no thing, are coming to town next March. It's going to be live, it's going to be loud and it's gonna be so flippin' awesome. Making quick trips to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Adventure Time Live will be an interactive, audio-visual festival that includes Q&As with cast and crew, cosplay competitions, live reads of classic episodes and much more to be announced. It's not a show, it's an experience, man. The event hits Australia between March 10 and March 12 next year, which will probably coincide with the largest gathering of adults pretending to be children pretending to be adults that this country has ever seen. Tickets go on sale on December 12, with more deets available here.
First it was the children's book that stunned a generation into awareness. Australia's colonial history was powerfully, simply laid bare by the allegory of The Rabbits — arriving, multiplying and eventually controlling the peaceful native marsupials. Now, it's an Australian-grown opera, dreamed up by John Sheedy, the artistic director of Perth's Barking Gecko Theatre Co. Before its premiere at this year's Perth Festival, Sheedy revealed why he had to make the show. “I was completely inspired, and in awe that, between Shaun Tan’s illustrations and John Marsden’s powerful and economic language, they tackled such huge themes," he told the Australian. "You can spend an hour on each page and make discovery after discovery ... The epic nature of the illustrations just lent itself to an opera.” Two of our brightest female artists were enlisted to create the music and libretto: Kate Miller-Heidke (who also performs as the principal soprano) and Lally Katz, along with set and costume designer Gabriela Tylesova. From the looks of it, the expressively angular animals dwarfed by dusty landscapes look just as magical as Tan's. Indeed, the Perth season saw The Rabbits applauded as an exceptionally brave, vital and moving work.
The tentpole theatre production of this year's Melbourne Festival arrives direct from London's West End. Adapted from George Orwell's iconic novel about a dystopian future governed by a totalitarian regime, the show generated rave reviews during its initial UK run, and earned a Best New Play nomination at the prestigious Olivier Awards. Festival organisers have also programmed a number of supplemental events around the production, including a film program at ACMI about surveillance in cinema and a one-off live reading of Orwell's book by a group of journalists, writers, actors and politicians in the chambers of State Parliament. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
Gather a gaggle of your best mates and get ready to hit the town. White Night, Melbourne's massive all-night arts bash, is back for another year, with a jam-packed program of music, film, performance, light shows and interactive art. Perhaps you'll see a school of jellyfish floating down Flinders Lane, or pay a visit to the NGV's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibition. Alternatively, you could spend the whole night skateboarding or dancing up a storm. The only thing that's for certain is, with so much on offer, you'd better know ahead of time what you really want to see and do. That's where we come in. We've pored over the program, combed through hundreds of events and artists, and narrowed it down to the ten events you simply can't afford to miss. Circus acts, grumpy cats and a giant golden monkey are just a few of the things you'll find on our list, which we've conveniently ordered by location (starting north and heading south). Dive in! FOR PROJECTIONS: PITCHA MAKIN FELLAS Anyone who was out and about at White Light last year would tell you the projection at the Royal Exhibition Building was one of the absolute highlights. Luckily for us, Portuguese creative studio OCUBO are returning to the historic building, and this time they're collaborating with Indigenous arts collective Pitcha Makin Fellas. The resulting work will see traditional Aboriginal stories reinterpreted and brought to life via a mesmerising light show. Sounds like the perfect way to kick off (or close out) your evening, depending on which direction you're heading. FOR ACROBATICS: CIRCUS CIRCUS Run away and join the circus at the Melbourne Museum Plaza, where some of Australia's most talented acrobats will be putting on a show. Artists from Circus Oz and the Women's Circus will join students from NICA and various other community circuses for a non-stop, 12-hour display of aerials, acrobatics and death-defying stunts. You'll also get the chance to see behind the scenes and even learn a few simple tricks yourself. Think juggling and hula hooping — tightrope walking might be a little too advanced! FOR AQUATIC VISUALS: INCUBATOR Something strange is bubbling just beneath the surface at the iconic Melbourne City Baths. Using a combination of projections and 3D animation, celebrated artist Craig Walsh will turn a 30m lap pool into an oversized glowing petri dish positively writhing with strange and sensational life forms. You'll likely never want to go swimming again, but we'll be damned if it doesn’t sound fascinating. Or maybe we're confusing 'fascinating' with 'horrifying'. It's such a fine line. FOR SPARKLY SKIPPING: JUMP ROPE It's back to the playground at the RMIT Alumni Courtyard, where illuminated skipping ropes will weave rainbows through the darkness. Designed by public artist Ainslie Macaulay, a team of rope twirlers will be on hand all night to keep the glowing ropes moving and provide participants with a few helpful pointers. Anyone is welcome to throw themselves in, regardless of age or ability. Although, come to think of it — if you've been pre-drinking, you might be better off watching from the sidelines. FOR LIBRARY LIGHTS: IDEATION Step into what the White Night program describes as "a multi-sensory ecosystem of imagination", when a group of artists invade the State Library of Victoria. Ideation will give visitors the chance to explore the magnificent building, and see the iconic dome lit up as part of a spectacular light and sound show. Basically, it's the perfect event for any bookworms out there who've dreamed of spending the night locked in the library. FOR A SURPRISE: GOLDEN MONKEY There's an air of mystery around this particular artwork, with the White Night website promising that "all will be revealed on the night". What we do know is that this major installation, from acclaimed Melbourne artist Lisa Roet, involves a 10-metre high golden monkey and the facade of the Melbourne Town Hall. If you just had a vision of the end of King Kong, then rest assured, you're not alone. Sounds like a whole lot of monkey business to us — but we have to admit, we're intrigued. FOR SMALL-SPACE PERFORMANCE: NEON LANEWAY Graffiti and contemporary dance may not seem like a natural pairing, yet they're being smashed together on Rutledge Lane as part of this collaborative piece of after-dark promenade theatre. With eight performances throughout the night (at 8.30pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, midnight, 2am, 4am and 6am), expect a vibrant mix of street art, mime, clowning, dance, contact improvisation and physical theatre — all accompanied by a beat-driven soundtrack from sound artist Sam McAuliffe. FOR KITTIES: INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. This White Night, ACMI are hosting a film festival dedicated entirely to internet cat videos. Screening every half hour, this compilation of the web's most amusing felines should provide a welcome reprieve from the more serious, thought-provoking stuff on the program. While you're at ACMI, you can also check out the Next Level Games Lounge, their collection of virtual reality shorts, or pay a visit to Julian Rosefeldt's ongoing Manifesto exhibition. FOR INTERACTIVITY: CMD. CTRL. DECIPHER Seize control of one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, as part of a large-scale interactive light show at the Arts Centre. White Night revellers will be asked to work as a team, using touch sensitive floor tiles in the Arts Centre forecourt to change the colour of the building's 162-metre spire. Meanwhile, sensors in front of the NGV North Wall can be used to unlock a hidden puzzle, triggering waves of light and sound. FOR ALL-NIGHT BOOGIES: MUSIC PRECINCTS This one's cheating a little, since it's actually several dozen events in one. In fact, this year's music lineup is so massive that organisers have had to spread it over four separate stages. At Live on Lonsdale you'll find a whole heap of Melbourne-based acts, including Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Briggs and The Harpoons, while the Bourke Street Mall stage will be partying NOLO style with the likes of Donut, Kylie Auldist and Horns of Leroy. Trip the Light Fantastic will turn Birrarung Marr into one gigantic dance floor, with beats by Sol Nation, Funk Buddies and Quarter Street. And lastly, Alexandra Gardens will welcome musicians from Melbourne's thriving blues scene, including Miss Whiskey, TK Reeve and The Screamin' Honkies. Phew. White Night kicks off at 7pm on Saturday, February 20 and runs until 7am on Sunday, February 21. For more information, including the complete program, visit whitenightmelbourne.com.au.
There are movies, and there are movies. At MIFF you'll find the latter. The largest and most prestigious event of its kind anywhere in the country, the latest edition of the Melbourne International Film Festival will feature more than 350 films over two and a half weeks, spanning every imaginable genre, language and style. MIFF 2016 kicks off on July 28 with the world premiere of Australian sci-fi drama The Death and Life of Otto Bloom. From there it's off to the pictures — and with literally hundreds of options to choose from, there'll always be something to see. There's a stream dedicated to movies made in Australia, and another one on films about food. Fans of arthouse cinema can catch the latest titles from Sundance, Berlin and Cannes in the 'Headliners' section, while horror buffs get to stay up late with the weird and wonderful 'Night Shift'. For our full list of recommendations, check out our ten must-see films of the festival.
Supple Fox, the folks behind Dark Mofo's Ferris Wheel of Death, are hitting Melbourne for three weeks. And, thanks to riverside bar and eatery Arbory, they're bringing with them a living art installation. Titled The Ends, it'll be taking over the narrow slip of land between the Yarra and Flinders Street Station between October 5 and 23. Prepare for a steady stream of art, live performance and unexpected happenings on and around the river. Leading the project is the world premiere of artist Shaun Gladwell's latest work. Its star is Maddest Maximus, a new Aussie anti-hero who dresses in black, wears a helmet and floats high above the Tasman Sea. Gladwell's mixed media photographic pieces will be arranged around the site, in conversation with the landscape. Meanwhile, fellow Dark Mofo alumni The Huxleys have been commissioned to create a series of sculptures, which you'll find suspended in palm trees, growing out of roof tops and, every now and again, casually floating by on rowboats. And Melbourne-based performance artist Gabi Barton has choreographed a slew of unpredictable movements and happenings for the space. So, between riverside cocktails, keep an eye and ear out. "We very consciously looked to create something that felt human, breathing, absurd and curious," said Hannah Fox, who co-founded Supple Fox with Tom Supple. "And to directly reject the clean lines and endless triangles of the Melbourne design world." The Ends will happen at Abory Bar and Eatery every evening from 6.30pm till late between October 5 and 23. Images: Arbory, Oli Sansom.
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. With a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas, Vivid's 2016 will be taking over building facades, creative spaces and music venues throughout the city from May 27 through to June 18. Obviously, the lights are the main event here, the drawcard millions of visitors descend upon Sydney for. This year, Sydney Opera House features the absolutely stunning Songlines, with new and iconic contemporary Indigenous works from Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Reko Rennie, Donny Woolagoodja, and the late Gulumbu Yunupingu. The Light Walk is back, with Sydney's building facades lighting up with spectacular artistry — including Selena Griffith, Edison Chen, Nila Rezaei, Nathan Adler's I LOVE YOU, a giant heart that changes colour when you scream those exact words at it. Taronga Zoo is playing host to an illuminated animal trail, and The Royal Botanic Gardens is celebrating 200 years with its own highly Instagrammable installations — including Mandylights' Cathedral of Light. The Chatswood precinct lights up with WildLight, inspired by the animals of Gondwana, and Martin Place sees the technical debut from NIDA in Martin Place called Fountain, a giant installation of human birth rate data as 'water jets', and Simon Aitken's unmissable Geometrics. Have a flick through our gorgeous gallery from Concrete Playground's Bodhi Liggett, then rug up and get amongst the lights, music, parties and ideas. Want to have a bite while you're watching the lights? Here's ten spots with panoramic Vivid views.
